Crowd Sourcing Software Allows You to Tap into Collective Intelligence

posted by Chris Valentine

The term “crowdsourcing” was first used in Wired Magazine by Jeff Howe, in 2006. He used the word to describe the situation in which a large group of external people are asked to complete a specific task. Since he used the term, it became commonplace, and there are now many crowd sourcing software developers as well. Today, the system is so popular that it is being used by big brand companies, non-profit organizations, startups, and more.

Understanding what Crowd Sourcing Software Can Do for You

By having crowdsourcing software installed, you have an opportunity to enable skilled individuals to earn a living, without you having to worry about their workers’ rights. From their perspective, it provides them with a legitimate, at home, business opportunity. It is no surprise, therefore, that many small countries are starting to use crowd sourcing, as it has enabled them to reach a much wider network or skilled professionals.

The world is becoming increasingly small, and all of us seem to be connected thanks to the internet. As a result, there is a clear need right now for people to able to work from home at a time that suits them. Sometimes, people can even earn a full time living from doing this work, for instance if they are listed with the Amazon Mechanical Turk platform.

Crowd Sourcing Software in Developing Countries

One of the major ways crowdsourcing is benefiting the world is that it is enabling women in developing countries to find employment. Not every woman in those countries is an entrepreneur or an artist, and things aren’t as easy as giving them a loan to help them get out of poverty. While microfinance has its place, it is also limited.

Crowdsourcing, however, is changing this. Take, for instance, Samasource, a nonprofit organization, who have managed to connect 1,600 women and young people who would otherwise earn $3 per day or less. By working together with large data and internet companies, huge projects are broken down into “microwork”. Examples of microwork includes labeling an image or finding a telephone number. Women in impoverished and developing countries, such as the Caribbean, South Asia, and East Africa, are being taught how to become proficient in the internet and computer usage, how to develop a professional image, and how to work in formal environments, while at the same time increasing their livelihood.

Crowdsourcing truly is everywhere. Did you know, for instance, that Hans Zimmer, one of the world’s best known composers, used Batman fans to help him create the score for The Dark Knight Rises? The finished film contains lots of audio obtained through crowdsourcing, and anyone who owned a computer that was equipped with a microphone was able to take part.

It is no surprise that crowdsourcing is becoming so popular, so quickly. It has enabled people to work their way out of poverty by essentially having a small business. But it is equally popular with hugely successful companies, who want to be part of strong economic growth and who understand that the world is a sea of knowledge.